Confined in the Fleet Prison

Engraved by William Hogarth. Published with the consent of Mrs. Hogarth by Henry Parker at No. 82 in Cornhill, 25 March 1768

Image: 8.5 x 11.5 in.
Engraving on laid paper

Not on display

Gift of Fisher Scientific International

Fisher Collection

FA 2000.001.232

No known copyright restrictions

Description

The image is the 7th scene of the series A Rake's Progress. The series shows the decline and fall of Tom Rakewell, the heir of a rich merchant, who comes to London and carelessly spends all his money and is imprisoned in Fleet Prison.

Inscription

His Hours of Joy are fled with rapid speed, And Scenes of Anguish in a Jail succeed,/ His Wife his ear with Loud Reproaches greets,/ (Her wanton Age deserves the Fate it meets)The swooning Nymph & Child our Pity move/ In Ruin whelm'd by his unfaithful Love/ The Hopes he built on his dramatick Muse,/ Prove empty as the Chymist's golden Views,Who vainly tries his Furnace and His Wings/ Nor Gold nor Liberty his Project brings,/ Nor he whose Schemes a nations debts discharge/ Can his own Person from Restraint enlarge.